Best art museums in Hamburg: discovering the city's artistic wonders

Old German masters meet cutting-edge contemporaries in Hamburg’s art scene. Be inspired by a whole range of artworks while exploring the city’s rich museum heritage.

Delve deep into German Romanticism and Expressionism at Bucerius Kunst Forum and Kunsthalle, viewing the works of famed local painters like Edvard Munch and Paul Klee.

The best art in Hamburg is also a gateway for fun things to do, with interactive displays, hands-on activities, and family-friendly exhibits.

Get off-the-beaten-path with a trip to the Erotic Art Museum, and experience the quirky history of the Nude through the ages. Or take an immersive trip into the future of art at the Hamburg Discovery Dock.

Feel your creativity come alive with the best art museums in Hamburg.

Best art museums in Hamburg

1. Discover something new at the Bucerius Kunst Forum

At the Bucerius Kunst Forum, you'll always find something fresh and exciting, with rotating exhibits throughout the year. Attend a lecture on their current exhibition theme to learn even more.

Highlights:

With exhibitions featuring one artist at a time, you can take a deep dive into their life rather than scratch the surface.

Address and opening hours:

Alter Wall 12, 20457 Hamburg. Open 11:00 AM-7:00 PM Saturday-Wednesday, 11:00 AM-9:00 PM Thursday, 12:00 PM-6:00 PM Friday.

2. Wander through the Falckenberg Collection

Visit the award-winning Falckenberg Collection, which contains more than 2,000 stunning art pieces. Learn more about the unconventional thinkers and counterculture of the 80s and 90s. Weekend admission is completely free.

Highlights:

Admire the huge multimedia projects by famous artists like John Bock or Thomas Hirschhorn.

Address and opening hours:

Wilstorfer Str. 71, 21073 Hamburg. Open Saturday-Sunday 12:00 PM-5:00 PM.

3. Visit the treasure-filled Kunsthalle

The Kunsthalle is a towering institution to German art that's packed with painterly wonders from the Renaissance to the current age. A veritable treasure trove of German art, it's not just about past traditions. The adjoining Galerie der Gegenwart showcases contemporary German art.

Highlights:

Don't miss out on the epic landscape paintings of Caspar David Friedrich and the cubist masterpieces of Paul Klee.

Address and opening hours:

Glockengießerwall 5, 20095 Hamburg. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 10:00 AM-6:00 PM. Open late Thursdays, 10:00 AM-9:00 PM.

4. Discover the street art of Hamburg

You don't even have to visit a museum to see art, you can find it all over the city. Let your local guide reveal the hidden gems among Hamburg's art and culture on a guided tour through St. Pauli and the Sternschanze. 

Highlights:

See some of the most iconic neighborhoods in Hamburg and get insider tips on places to visit for the rest of your stay.

Meeting point:

Spielbudenpl. 29-30, 20359 Hamburg. Start times vary.

Best design museums in Hamburg

5. Meet your heroes at the Panoptikum

Get an entry ticket to the Panoptikum Waxworks to see your favorite celebrities remade in wax. Enjoy the lifelike statues of over 120 historical figures and superstars. Hear fascinating tales and gossip about celebrities from your audio guide.

Highlights:

Take a selfie with Queen Elizabeth II or Karl Lagerfeld. Photography is not only allowed – it's highly recommended.

Address and opening hours:

Spielbudenpl. 3, 20359 Hamburg. Open 10:00 AM-8:00 PM Sunday-Friday, 10:00 AM-10:00 PM Saturday.

6. Dive into the latest VR technology

Nowadays, art and design don't have to be physically real to impress. Book a workshop at the Hamburg Discovery Dock to try out a virtual reality tour. Step into a 3D model of Hamburg for an immersive experience.

Highlights:

Fly over the city, load goods onto a container ship, or step into the shoes of a reporter at the G20 summit. Anything is possible in virtual reality.

Meeting point:

Am Kaiserkai 60, 20457 Hamburg. Start times vary.

7. Explore applied art at the Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe

The Museum für Kunst and Gewerbe boasts an impressive collection of graphic design, applied art, and fashion, all housed in a stunning 19th-century building. Of particular note are the Period Rooms, which expertly recreate the fashion and lifestyles of an era.

 Highlights:

Enjoy access to the museum's collections with a 3-Day Art Exhibition & Gallery Pass. This is a great way to begin a whirlwind tour of Hamburg's very best art and design spaces.

Address and opening hours:

Steintorpl., 20099 Hamburg. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 10:00 AM-6:00 PM. Open late Thursdays, 10:00 AM-9:00 PM.

Alternative museums in Hamburg

8. Board the beautiful Rickmer Rickmers

How has a ship made it onto a list of art museums? The old sailing ship is a beautiful sight with the port as background, but with an entry ticket to the Rickmer Rickmers, you can also visit the art exhibition below deck.

Highlights:

The paintings in the gallery have been submitted by various artists to express their love for Hamburg and its port. Once you've visited, perhaps you'll be inspired to paint one, too.

Address and opening hours:

Bei den St. Pauli-Landungsbrücken 1a, 20359 Hamburg. Open Monday-Sunday 10:00 AM-6:00 PM.

9. View centuries-old nautical art at the International Maritime Museum

The International Maritime Museum is one of the best museums of its kind. Explore over 40,000 artifacts of nautical history, including maritime artworks spanning centuries. See how seafaring has been portrayed through paintings, both in German art and other cultures around the world.

Highlights:

Deck two is your go-to spot for painterly portrayals of ships in history. Deck eight is home to maritime art, including model ships crafted from gold and bone.

Address and opening hours:

Koreastraße 1, 20457 Hamburg. Open daily, 10:00 AM-6:00 PM.

10. Peek at some explicit art at the Erotic Art Museum

Take a walking tour through St. Pauli to visit L’apotheque and the Erotic Art Museum. Learn about the suppression of erotic art and see a secret bunker displaying the works of Fiete Frahm. You won't find pieces like this in conventional art museums.

Highlights:

The Erotic Art Museum even houses an NFT collection that you can step into using VR technology.

Address and opening hours:

Bernhard-Nocht-Straße 79, 20359 Hamburg. Open 12:00 PM-6:00 PM Tuesday-Friday, 2:00 PM-6:00 PM Saturday-Sunday.

FAQs

Are there any free-entry days for art museums in Hamburg?

Many art museums in Hamburg have free entry on the first Thursday of the month. To save on entry fees, consider getting the Hamburg CARD for discounts around the city or the Kunstmeile Ticket for art galleries.

What are some unique and lesser-known art museums worth visiting in Hamburg?

If you are looking for unique and lesser-known art museums, you should check out the Bucerius Kunst Forum, with its constantly changing temporary exhibitions. The Erotic Art Museum at the Reeperbahn offers another unique experience.

Which art museums in Hamburg have works by famous artists?

If you are looking for works by famous artists, then the Hamburger Kunsthalle is the place to visit. For example, you can find the renowned 'Wanderer above the Sea of Fog' by Caspar David Friedrich here.

Are the art museums in Hamburg wheelchair accessible?

Most art museums in Hamburg are wheelchair accessible. Some exceptions to this include the museum ships, which have narrower passages.

Are there any art museums in Hamburg that are suitable for children and families?

There are lots of art museums in Hamburg that children will enjoy. The Hamburger Kunsthalle has famous paintings that they'll recognize, and the Panoptikum and museum ships will delight kids and families.